The arrival of migrant people to the Canary Islands via makeshift boats and wooden vessels has decreased this year. Data published bi-weekly by the Ministry of the Interior shows a decrease of 44.5% in people who have arrived at the archipelago through these irregular routes between January and September 30 of this year compared to the first nine months of 2025.
In total, in the month of September, 1,970 migrant people arrived on the islands via the Atlantic. The majority, to Lanzarote and El Hierro, although they were later transferred to centers for foreigners in Tenerife and Gran Canaria.
So far this year, 7,133 people have arrived at the archipelago alive, compared to 12,848 in 2025. If counted by vessels instead of by number of arrivals, 211 vessels had been registered in 2025 and 95 in 2026. In total, arrivals by makeshift boats and inflatable dinghies have decreased by 55% on the migratory route to the Canary Islands.
By islands, the Consortium of Security and Emergencies of Lanzarote reports that 902 migrant people have arrived in sixteen vessels to Lanzarote, the second Canary Island in number of arrivals.
The origin of departure for the vessels arriving on the island is Morocco or Western Sahara. Meanwhile, 1,057 people have arrived in eight vessels from Senegal and Gambia and a ninth from Guinea Bissau or Guinea Conakry to El Hierro.
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